Brentford Women fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Saltdean United this afternoon after a first-half stoppage time goal sunk the Bees on the south coast.

The defeat was the first of the LSE Premier Division campaign for Brentford and saw them knocked off the top of the table.

The game opened in cagey fashion as both sides tried to establish control and the Bees defence stood strong to settle any early nerves.

Ashley Cheatley had the first real sight of goal for Carly Williams' side with an acrobatic effort that floated just over the crossbar on 15 minutes.

Sophie Boycott made her first start for the first team this season between the sticks and made an important save after Alissa Down's vital block denied the Tigers a certain goal.

The west Londoners began to create some good chances. On 35 minutes Down split open the Saltdean defence with an excellent pass through to Cheatley but her strike was well blocked.

Five minutes later Regan Graver, who returned to the side after a two game absence due to illness, had a headed effort from a corner saved by Megan Lynch.

Despite the Bees' pressure, it was Saltdean who broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when Nay Robinson's deflected shot from the edge of the box caught Boycott out to make it 1-0.

Brentford had to react after the break and they came out fast as Maï Louvrier weaved past the Saltdean defence but saw her strike fly just wide.

On 52 minutes, Saltdean looked like they were going to double the lead when they broke through one-on-one with Boycott but the Bees' keeper stood strong.

The Tigers then had a goal disallowed from a corner for a push on half-time substitute Carolin Engelhard.

Down saw an effort from outside the box go over the bar and Cheatley was booked for simulation just outside the penalty area.

Engelhard, who also returned to the squad after injury, made a crucial block on 74 minutes to prevent Saltdean from going two ahead. Boycott then made another big save to keep Brentford in the game.

There was a big chance for the Bees with ten minutes to play when Habeebat Gbajabiamila beat two players on the wing and found Cheatley in the box but she was again denied by the outstretched arm of Lynch in the Saltdean net.

Chelsie Berry had a shot inside the box saved and, despite plenty of industry, the west Londoners couldn't find a leveller on the south coast.

The defeat is the first in the league for Williams' side and their first ever in tier five. Three points for Saltdean means they leapfrog Brentford to go top of the table on goal difference.

With Dartford losing 1-0 to Sutton earlier in the day, the fight for promotion at the top of the LSE Premier Division is really starting to heat up.

Brentford: Boycott, Phillips (Engelhard 46), Graver, Potter, Sangha (Worsley 87), Down, McCrea (Harris-Walters 74), Gbajabiamila (Alaneme 90+2), Cheatley, Louvrier (Berry 70), Black

Booked: Sangha 23, Cheatley 65

Williams on first league loss

Brentford Women head coach Carly Williams believes her side performed well despite losing their first league game of the season.

"We look at our performance and I thought we were very good. In our opinion, we gabe them a good game and it was just us not being clinical," she said.

"In the first half I thought we were really strong and in the second half we came out fighting and that's what I want to see from the team.

"It's really tight at the top but it's too early in the season to think about that. It's about staying true to ourselves."